Åpningen av Boliden Odda

Dear friends, Boliden employees, and the proud community of Odda.

It is a great honor to stand before you today to mark the opening of Green Zink Boliden Odda This is a day of celebration – for the industry, for the community, and for Norway and Sweden as leaders in green, forward-thinking industry.

Odda has a remarkable industrial history. For over a century, since 1924, this factory has been here. Adapting and evolving through challenges and opportunities.

It has been a testament to the vision and commitment of its investors, owners and workers.

Without this, the great industries of Norway would not have been built, nor would they have shaped the foundation of our modern economy and welfare state – and not least, where industrial development goes together with environmental awareness. Let me also add that Swedish capital and investments were crucial then - as now.

This spirit is alive today, here in Odda.

Green Zink Boliden Odda represents the next chapter in this remarkable story.

Through cutting-edge technology, increased energy efficiency, and reduced emissions, this factory is proof that industry and sustainability can go hand in hand.

With this expansion, Boliden Odda will continue to play a key role in the global zinc supply chain – producing essential materials for the future while maintaining the highest environmental standards.

Today, you are in focus – and it is not a day for political statements.

But I have to say the following. Norway has an important role to play in the global energy and industrial transition.

We have the resources, the expertise, and the drive to be a leader in sustainable industry – and I am especially glad we can do this with our dear Swedish neighbours.

This government is committed to ensuring a stable supply of clean, affordable energy to power industries like this one. That is why we are taking significant steps to expand renewable energy production, building grid and strengthening energy efficiency.

We need more power to secure jobs, create new opportunities, and help industries transition from fossil energy to renewable energy.

In short, we are making sure that Norway remains a powerhouse for green, sustainable industrial growth. And Green Zink Boliden Odda is a perfect example of what we can achieve when we combine industrial expertise with environmental responsibility.

To everyone at Boliden Odda – thank you for your dedication, your innovation, and your vision.

You are proving that Norwegian industry is not just part of the past, but a vital part of the future.

To the people of Odda – your legacy continues, and I have no doubt that this factory will remain a cornerstone of your community for generations to come.

As we stand here today, we are not just celebrating a new factory. We are celebrating a promise – a promise to keep evolving, to keep leading, and to keep proving that we can build a future where sustainability and industry grows together.

Congratulations to everyone involved in making this vision a reality. I look forward to seeing Green Zink Boliden Odda setting new standards!

Thank you!